Kenyon is committed to fostering a climate free from sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence, intimate partner violence and stalking through clear and effective policies, a coordinated education and prevention program, and prompt and equitable procedures for resolution of reports of conduct prohibited under this policy.
Kenyon’s Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII applies to all forms of Prohibited Conduct that occur in the context of any Kenyon College education or employment activities and programs.
Although Kenyon has no legal jurisdiction over job shadow sponsors, Bed & Breakfast hosts, or most internship employers, the College is prepared to offer you a range of support services and process options if you are involved in a Title IX/IPV situation.
If you are in an emergency situation, please consider seeking medical assistance from the nearest hospital or emergency room. You can also call Kenyon College Safety and Security Office at 740-427-5000 or 740-427-5555. Any hour of the day or night, any day of the year, Campus Safety can put you in touch with a member of the Student Affairs Staff who can provide more information on the options available to you. They can also contact a College Counselor to talk with you. In addition, you may choose to contact your local law enforcement.
If the situation is not an emergency, but still involves sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, please contact Kenyon Title IX/Civil Rights Coordinator Samantha Hughes. She can be reached during normal business hours at 740-427-5820, via email hughess@kenyon.edu, or by calling Campus Safety, 740-427-5000, and requesting to be connected to her cell phone. Samantha will be able to provide you with support and with information about the process, options and resources.
Experiencing as well as processing sexual misconduct is difficult. It can be even more confusing and complicated if it occurs in another city or organization you are less familiar with. It is common to feel a wide range of emotions including fear, anxiety and confusion. There is no one way to respond. Whatever feels like the right response to you is normal. Determining what steps to take after a traumatic experience can be difficult, especially when you are away from home. The options listed below are just that, options.
And remember, you are in charge of your own healing process. It is your choice whether to seek help or tell others about the experience (please see below on disclosing vs. reporting). Please read each item carefully and consider reaching out to the Title IX Coordinator or Kenyon’s Career Development Office with questions.
The information and resources listed on this page are here to help you learn about all your options and if you have questions, consider reaching out to talk about them further.
If your immediate safety is being threatened, please consider calling the designated, local law enforcement first. Campus Safety is also available, 24/7, and can be reached by calling 740-427-5000. Campus Safety will contact you with the person you request, e.g, counselor or Title IX Coordinator. If you don’t request a specific staff person you will be placed in contact with a member of the Student Affairs staff who will provide more information on the options available to you.
Medical attention is available for those who experience unwanted sexual contact/violence. You can request medical care to evaluate physical injuries, emotional well-being, sexual health needs, and/or to request a sexual assault forensic exam. Access to a sexual forensic exam will vary depending on local resources.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident of sexual misconduct or the individuals involved, Kenyon has counselors to help you in the healing process. Support can be provided in a variety of ways, including connecting you to local resources or campus-based resources. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct, for confidential support in urgent cases, a College counselor is on call 24/7. In order to be placed in contact with that person, call Campus Safety at 740-427-5000 and request the Counselor on Call be contacted. To enable the College to respond to all reports in a prompt and equitable manner, the College encourages all individuals to report any incident directly to the Title IX Coordinator. You may also choose to report the incident via the online reporting form. You can complete the form anonymously or transparently by including your name.
If an accused person (respondent) is a member of the Kenyon community (staff, faculty, or student), then Kenyon has the ability to pursue a formal investigation to determine if College policies have been violated, and, where appropriate, impose sanctions for any violations of our Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII.
Regardless of the identity of the Respondent, all Reporting Parties have access to the support options provided by Kenyon. Kenyon’s ability to proceed with a formal investigation and/or adjudicate a complaint may be limited by the level of control it has over the environment and the Respondent. For example, if a Respondent is a member of the College’s internship, job shadow, or homestay network, Kenyon’s ability to pursue a formal investigation is limited, although the College will work with the appropriate third party to take action to the greatest extent possible. Furthermore, local laws and/or the policies of a host organization may further govern your legal options. Finally, and to the extent possible, the College will implement the response desired by the Reporting Party.
Kenyon College encourages individuals to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or local law enforcement officials. Timely reporting to the police is an important factor in successful investigation and prosecution of crimes, including sexual violence, and may lead to the arrest of an offender or aid in the investigation of other incidents. Kenyon can assist students in reporting sexual misconduct to the Title IX coordinator or local law enforcement. A report can be submitted online through this link: forms.kenyon.edu/node/82. The form can be completed anonymously or can include the names of the Reporting Party and/or Responding Party.
A disclosure of sexual violence can be made by talking to a confidential resource about the incident. Confidential resources will not disclose information about incidents of sexual misconduct to anyone, including law enforcement or the College, except in very limited situations, such as when failure to disclose the information would result in imminent danger to the individual or to others or where state or local law requires a report be made. Confidential resources can help you discuss the options available to you and will not disclose what you tell them without your written authorization.
A report of sexual misconduct occurs when you discuss details of a sexual misconduct incident with a member of the Kenyon community who is obligated to report the incident to the Title IX coordinator. Under the Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII, this includes all Kenyon employees (unless they are designated as confidential resources: Clergy, counselors, nurse practitioners, nurses, doctors), as well as all student employees/volunteers who have responsibility for the welfare of other students, including Community Advisors and Diversity Advisors. Any reports will be shared with the Title IX Coordinator who will contact you and invite you to talk/meet to discuss in detail your options for responding through the College’s process and/or law enforcement. Meeting with and/or talking to the TIX Coordinator is optional. The College aims to provide you with Kenyon-specific as well as immediate assistance to help you assess your options and ease your transition when you return to campus.
For more information about our policy, please go to kenyon.edu/title-ix.